Surf Culture
Exhibit illustrates evolution of surfing and surfboard tech in the 20th century
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 24 April, 2016 - Surfing Heritage and Culture Center (SHACC) invites surf culture aficionados to celebrate the opening of its new exhibit, “Treasures” from the John Mazza Historic Surfboard Collection, on Saturday, April 30 from 6-9 pm.
This historic exhibit showcases more than 30 surfboards from the personal collection of John Mazza, an avid collector and Malibu resident. Many of Mazza's surfboards are a part of Pepperdine University Special Collections and University Archives' Malibu Historical Collection.
“John Mazza is a long-time friend and Founding Partner of our non-profit museum,” said SHACC founder, Dick Metz. “We’re very appreciative and excited for this opportunity to share his amazing collection with the Southern California surfing community and visitors from all over the world.”
“Treasures” reveals the art and ingenuity of surfboard shapers and contextualizes the boards as cultural objects with an important place in popular culture and local history. The exhibit will be on display at SHACC from April 30 – July 30, 2016.
According to Barry Haun, SHACC’s Creative Director and Curator, the exhibit also illustrates the evolution of surfing and surfboard technology in the twentieth century, with examples ranging from the 1910s to the 1980s.
“A few of the exhibit’s premier gems are a Kivlin Malibu Chip, a Downing big-wave balsa gun, Marge Calhoun's winning Makaha board and trophy, a Diffenderfer balsa gun, a vintage Froiseth gun, a Pat Curren foam gun, Woody Brown’s board, a John Kelly Hydro, and a classic Hynson Down Railer, and many more. ”
Haun said. “Mr. Mazza picked up a few of these treasures at our California Gold Vintage Surf Auction held last September in Culver City.”
Admission to the exhibit is free for SHACC members and $5 for the general public. SHACC’s no-host bar will offer Longboard Vineyards wines, Left Coast Brewing Co. beers, Kona Red natural energy drinks, and Hawaiian Springs Water and free appetizers provided by Mahé Restaurant in Dana Point.
Founded in 2000 the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center (SHACC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving, presenting and promoting surfing’s heritage for the appreciation and education of current and future generations. SHACC serves as the world’s foremost educational and support resource for surfing publications, manufacturers, and museums.
